P.F. 14 New Jersey peach tree

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach.  Prunus persica,  tree having the following unique combination of desirable features:  
     1. Producing a very firm fruit having a resilient flesh texture.  
     2. Blossoms are non-showy when in fill bloom.  
     3. A substantially spherical fruit with yellow flesh having red mottling.  
     4. A mid-season peach variety that matures after Redhaven and which has good storage and shelf life.

[0001] The new peach tree (hereinafter referred to as the P.F. 14 New Jersey peach tree) was originated by Paul Friday in the experimental orchard, which is maintained for the purposes of breeding peach trees, at Paul Friday Farms Inc., located in Coloma, Mich. Coloma is located in the southwest section of Mich.

[0002] In an ongoing mass selection breeding program, superior seedlings of unrecorded parentage are maintained as seed sources for the production of seeds which are collected and planted in mass. The seed producing parent trees are maintained solely as proprietary trees for breeding purposes and have not been released from the experimental orchard, where such trees can be evaluated for their adaptability to local and regional growing conditions. Seeds resulting from open pollination of the trees in the experimental orchard are regularly planted in mass to produce new populations of seedlings which are cultured and monitored to maturity. Trees with superior attributes are retained for further observation and testing, and contribute seeds to advancing generations of new populations of seedlings.

[0003] The tree of this application, P.F. 14 New Jersey, was a selection from one such a seedling population, and was based on the numerous superior genetic attributes of this tree which are described in the botanical description to follow. While not comprehensive, the details of the botanical description to follow are believed to be a reasonably complete botanical description of the tree of this disclosure.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

[0004] The new and distinct variety of peach tree was asexually propagated by budding as performed in the experimental orchard of Paul Friday Farms Inc., located in Coloma, Mich. The asexual propagation demonstrates that such reproduction of the characteristics of the tree are consistent and are established and transmitted through succeeding propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

[0005] The new and distinct variety of peach tree is of moderate upright growth and a regular and productive bearer of peaches. The blossoms are characterized by being contracted or partially spread when in full bloom.

[0006] The blossoms of the present peach tree at full bloom may be characterized as being non-showy. More specifically, the blossoms of the present peach tree have angularly spaced five-blossom petals projecting upwardly at an inclined angle so as to form a blossom having a diameter of about ¾″ measured across the blossoms. The typical non-showy blossom as exemplified for example by the Redhaven peach has five (5) radially extending and angularly spaced petals projecting upwardly at a relatively steep inclined angle so that the diametrical measurement across the outer edges of the petals is about ½″.

[0007] The flesh of the fruit of the present peach tree is firm and is yellow with a minimum of red around the pit.

[0008] The skin is smooth and is of dark red color over almost 100 percent (100%) of its surface at full maturity. The fruit is large with an average diameter of 2-¾″.

[0009] It is noteworthy that the fruit of this tree is further characterized as having smooth, gently rounded cheeks at the blossom end of the fruit. These protrude to form fruit surfaces higher than the blossom point. This characteristic reduces fruit damage in harvest, shipping and storage, by reducing the exposure of and damage to the apical blossom protrusion in handling. Thus breaching of the skin and formation of an entry point for microorganisms which cause rot in many other commercially important peach varieties harvested in the same production period is avoided in this fruit.

[0010] The fruit has a firm flesh and may be described as resilient to the extent that the flesh is yieldable and restorable to its original state when subjected to impact forces, which may cause permanent deformities in peaches of the commercial varieties. The firmness of the fruit facilitates handling and packaging of the peaches without damaging the same for shipment. This results in less spoilage and also increases the shelf life.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

[0011] The accompanying photographic illustrations of the new variety show the following:

[0012] The top photograph depicts well-rounded fruit showing an unpronounced suture and a well-rounded blossom end. One specimen of the fruit is bisected at a ninety-degree angle to the plane of the suture with the stone retained in half showing its freestone characteristic and clear yellow flesh and a minimum of red around the pit. A tape measure is present indicating the large size of the fruit.

[0013] The bottom photograph depicts leaves of medium length and width, having notably very fine serrated margins. A tape measure is present, demonstrating the medium size of the leaves. Whole fruit is also present.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIETY

[0014] The detailed botanical description of the foliage and fruit of the new variety of peach tree is based upon observations of the specimens grown at Coloma, Mich. with the color terminology, other than the terminology expressed in common terms, in accordance with the Panatone Matching System (PMS) as used internationally to identify printed colors.

[0015] Tree:

[0016] Height.—Unpruned 15′.

[0017] Width.—Unpruned 12′.

[0018] Size.—Medium.

[0019] Vigor.—Medium.

[0020] Density.—Medium—moderate pruning required.

[0021] Form.—Moderately spreading.

[0022] Production.—Good in regions of moderate climate —somewhat bud-tender in colder climates.

[0023] Bearer.—Consistent in regions of moderate climate.

[0024] Disease resistance to bacterial leaf and fruit spot.—Very good.

[0025] Trunk:

[0026] Bark.—Smooth,

[0027] Size.—Medium to stocky.

[0028] Surface.—Smooth.

[0029] Branches:

[0030] Size.—Medium.

[0031] Surface.—Smooth to medium.

[0032] Lenticels.—Substantial number of medium size.

[0033] Leaves:

[0034] Size.—5-¼″ long—1-½″ wide.

[0035] Form.—Lanceolate—pointed.

[0036] Thickness.—Medium.

[0037] Texture.—Medium.

[0038] Main.—Finely serrated.

[0039] Petiole.—Medium length—medium thickness.

[0040] Gland—1 to 5 small on the petiole and basal part of the leaf.

[0041] Gland Color.—Red in the fall.

[0042] Flower buds:

[0043] Size.—Medium.

[0044] Length.—Medium.

[0045] Flowers:

[0046] Blooming period.—May 3, 2001 to May 6, 2001.

[0047] Size.—Non-showy—¾″ diameter.

[0048] Pollen.—Present, self-fertilizing.

[0049] Color.—Pink.

[0050] Fruit:

[0051] Maturity when described—firm ripe.

[0052] Date of first picking.—Aug. 14, 2001.

[0053] Date of last picking.—Aug. 20, 2001.

[0054] Size.—Large sphere—average diameter 2-¾″.

[0055] Form.—Oblate spherical.

[0056] Suture.—Medium, or not pronounced.

[0057] Skin:

[0058] Thickness.—Medium.

[0059] Texture.—Tougi, tenacious to skin.

[0060] Tendency to crack.—None.

[0061] Down.—Moderate to little.

[0062] Color.—Almost entirely red (vying in shades from 221 to 222).

[0063] Flesh:

[0064] Texture.—Firm.

[0065] Ripens.—Evenly.

[0066] Flavor.—Excellent.

[0067] Aroma.—Pleasant.

[0068] Eating quality.—Very good.

[0069] Color.—Dark yellow (129).

[0070] Stone:

[0071] Type.—Very freestone

[0072] Size.—Average length—1-½″. Average width—1″. Average thickness—¾″.

[0073] Form.—Ovid:

[0074] Base.—Straight.

[0075] Apex.—Pointed.

[0076] Sides.—Unequal.

[0077] Surface.—Furrowed.

[0078] Color.—Reddish brown (159).

[0079] Tendency to crack.—About 3%.

[0080] Use: Desert

[0081] Shipping quality: Good.

[0082] Keeping quality: Good.

[0083] The tree and its fruit herein described may vary in slight detail as a result of differences in climatic or soil conditions or cultural practices under which the tree may be grown. It is to be understood that the description of the new variety as set forth herein is that of the tree grown under the ecological conditions prevailing at Coloma, Mich. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree substantially as illustrated and described as large size, yellow flesh, freestone fruit with good flavor and eating quality, and almost 100% red skin color when fully ripe; and being further characterized by medium-sized leaves with finely serrated margins. Said fruit is moderately bud tender to cold weather so as to be recommended to be grown in specific climates—thus, its identifying name, P.F. 14 New Jersey. 